Comparison of three devices for oxygen administration in the late postoperative period

We have evaluated three different devices for oxygen administrationin the surgical ward, the Hudson face mask (oxygen 3 litre min^–1air 12 litre min^–1) the nasal prong (oxygen 3 litre min^–1)and the binasal catheter (oxygen 3 litre min^–1) We evaluatedthe three devices in random order for periods of 30 mm eachin 25 patients with postoperative hypoxaemia (Sp^o2 94%). Arterialoxygen saturation was measured by continuous pulse oximetryand comfort was evaluated with a questionnaire after each treatmentperiod. The three systems increased arterial oxygen saturationto similar levels, but the highest degree of comfort was foundwith the binasal catheter. Use of the binasal catheter is recommendedfor oxygen administration in the late postoperative period.(Br. J. Anaesth. 1995; 74: 607–609)